MPs warn over tech-enabled domestic abuse
The Government must make tackling ‘ tech abuse ’ a priority , according to the UK House of Commons Culture , Media and Sport Committee , amid a warning that the use of smart technology and connected devices in facilitating domestic abuse is becoming a growing problem .
The Committee ’ s report , Connect tech : smart or sinister ?, also calls for more to be done to protect the privacy and rights of children , with young people increasingly likely to interact with connected technology at home and in schools .
The Committee launched its inquiry in May 2022 to consider both the potential benefit and harms of connected technology , such as smart speakers , virtual assistants and wearable fitness trackers . Government figures state that there are on average nine connected devices in every household in the UK , while by 2050 there will be 24 billion interconnected devices worldwide .
On tech abuse , the Committee heard evidence that the vast majority of domestic abuse cases now feature some sort of cyber element
On tech abuse , the Committee heard evidence that the vast majority of domestic abuse cases now feature some sort of cyber element , including the use of spyware , and perpetrators monitoring movements and collecting recordings and images of victims and survivors .
The report calls on the Government to improve the skills of law enforcement and the response of the criminal justice system , while boosting awareness of specialist services tackling violence against women and girls . Manufacturers and distributors also need to be brought together to mitigate risks through product design .
In response to privacy concerns raised by the use of connected tech , the Committee recommends that the Government empowers users , and in particular children , to exercise their rights over their personal data through intuitive product design , clear terms and conditions and digital literacy schemes .
“ While the rising popularity of connected technology has brought undoubted benefits to everyday life , the flip side is the real risk some of these gadgets pose to privacy and personal safety online ,” commented Dame Caroline
Dinenage MP , chair of the CMS Committee . “ In particular , the surge in use of devices such as smart home security systems , baby monitors , cameras and smart speakers to monitor , harass , coerce and control victims of domestic abuse is truly chilling .”
“ The Government must make it a priority to work with manufacturers to tackle this technology-facilitated abuse , which is only going to get worse in the future . The police and criminal justice system must be better equipped to deal with it , while victims should be properly supported .”
Connected devices also harvest a large amount of personal data and there are particular concerns where children are involved . The Government and Information Commissioner ’ s Office should make sure products used in schools and by young people at home have privacy settings that are intuitive for children and age-appropriate terms and conditions ,” she concluded .
Main conclusions and recommendations
Data and privacy
• Users must be given clear information about , and a fair chance to understand , the basis on which their data is used and how to exercise their rights . The Government should introduce measures to standardise privacy interfaces for connected devices . Privacy interfaces should be appropriately accessible , intuitive and flexible enough so users of a reasonable level of digital literacy and privacy expectations can use them , without requiring them to go through
complex dashboards with long lists of terms and conditions and settings .
• The use of connected tech in schools and by children in homes raises concerns , including the harvesting and third-party use of children ’ s data and their lack of control over what technology is used and when . The Information Commissioner ’ s Office needs to be more proactive and ensure that all products include age-appropriate terms and conditions .
• The monitoring of employees in smart workplaces should be done only with the consent of those being monitored . The Information Commissioner ’ s Office should develop its existing draft guidance on ‘ Employment practices : monitoring at work ’ into a principles-based code for designers and operators of workplace connected tech .
Product security
• The Committee supports calls from industry for the Government to do more to address the ongoing skills shortage in the cybersecurity sector . The Government should take steps to support the availability of free courses , encourage more professionals to become cybersecurity educators , improve the provision of core professional skills among the workforce and incentivise industry to improve hiring practices and retention rates .
Technology-facilitated abuse
• The Government must make tackling technology-facilitated abuse , or ‘ tech abuse , a priority . The Government ’ s response to tech abuse should involve upskilling law enforcement to improve the criminal justice response and increasing law enforcement ’ s and victims ’ and survivors ’ awareness of specialist services tackling violence against women and girls .
• The Office for Product Safety and Standards should convene a ‘ tech abuse working group ’ to bring the industry together to tackle tech abuse . The Committee will publish a second report later in the summer focusing on the impact of connected tech and AI on the creative industries .
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